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[…] for aiding us to focus our thoughts, and subsequently our lives, on God and things of God. 5 Spiritual Books Every Man Should Read by Sam Guzman on The Catholic Gentleman provides some excellent recommendations including the very […]
A blog for Catholic men that seeks to encourage virtue, the pursuit of holiness and the art of true masculinity.
5 Spiritual Books Every Man Should Read
July 23, 2013
“To him who wishes to walk in the path of virtue, nothing is more necessary than the reading of spiritual books.” – St. Athanasius
While some of us like books more than others, we should all spend some time reading spiritual writing, even if it is only 10 minutes a day. If we had the chance, we would all love to talk to great saints like St. Anthony of Padua, St. Augustine, or St. Thomas Aquinas and get their advice on the spiritual life. While we can’t converse with them face to face (yet), we do have the next best thing—their writings.
Here are five of the books I recommend for every Catholic man.
5. The Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
With its practical wisdom on everything from penance to prayer, fasting to friendships, Introduction to the Devout Life shatters the notion that holiness is just for clergymen or religious. Instead, it points out the path to holiness for every Catholic, no matter his state in life.
If you think being a saint is impractical or impossible, read Introduction to the Devout Life and think again.
4. The Secret of Mary by St. Louis de Montfort
I recommend The Secret of Mary instead of True Devotion for the simple reason that it is much shorter and easier to digest. More a tract than a book, it lays out in plain, simple terms, the necessity of honoring Mary and the great benefit of entrusting ourselves entirely to her care.
3. The Spiritual Combat by Dom Lorenzo Scupoli
“Now that you see wherein Christian perfection consists, and that it requires a continual sharp warfare against self, you must provide yourself with four most sure and necessary weapons, in order to secure the palm and gain the victory in this spiritual combat. These are: Distrust of self; Trust in God; Spiritual exercises; and Prayer. Of all these we will, with the Divine assistance, treat briefly and plainly.”
2. The Confessions of St. Augustine
When I was in high school, long before I was considering the Catholic church, I picked up a copy of The Confessions off of my grandma’s bookshelf. I began reading, expecting a traditional autobiography. What I found instead was one of the most beautiful books I have ever read—a book that began the process of my conversion.
The Confessions reads much more like a prayer or a poem than it does a biography of any kind, and it is filled with Augustine’s intense, loving conversations with God. If you want to understand the mind and heart of one of the greatest saints of the Western church, read this book.
1. The Imitation of Christ
Get a copy of this book and leave it on your nightstand. Read it again and again.
Conclusion
The saints have made it clear—if we want to grow spiritually, we must read the writings of those who have gone before us. If you don’t already, set aside some time each day for spiritual reading. Soak up the wisdom of the saints like a sponge. You will find it coming back to you when you need it most.
What are your favorite spiritual books? Are you reading any good books at the moment? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Currently reading Peace of Soul by the Venerable Fulton Sheen and every page amazing!
I need to read this! I have two copies, but haven’t read it yet.
These are great books! We are blessed with so many wonderful books that it would be very difficult to limit a list to five. I personally love The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton. I believe it should be on every Catholic gentleman’s book shelf.
Thanks, Todd! It was hard to narrow it down. At some point, I will write a more complete list. I need to read the Seven Storey Mountain.
I’m on my second reading of the Diary of St. Faustina. Compliments on your new blog. I’ve added it to my list of Catholic blogs to follow.
I’d also recommend The Way by St. Josemaria Escriva.
I would recommend classic literature. Such books as The Great Gatsby or Brave New World reveal much about what it is to be a man.
I heard the Soul of the Apostolate by Dom Chautard is excellent as well. I’ve read a couple chapters and its already getting me on fire!
Christ, The life of the soul by Bl. Columba Marmion. This is one of the most outstanding books I have read. Every Catholic who is serious about living as God wants them to should read it. A quote from the cover…”Read this-it is the pure doctrine of the Church”, Pope Benedict XV
Recommend “The Sinners Guide” by Ven. Louis of Granada.
History of a soul, Teresita de Lisieux 😉
Perfect list. If a person had never read any Catholic writings, I would recommend exactly these — nice to pick “Secret of Mary” over “True Devotion” as well even though both are wonderful.
I would add the Philokalia and the “The way of a Pilgrim” to that list. But otherwise, it’s great!
May I also suggest, Mistic City of God by Sor María de Jesús de Agreda, life of the Venerable Anne Catherine Emmerich (also her visions and revelations).
I also highly recommend St. Louis de Montfort’s The Secret of the Rosary.
Am very happy to get five most beautiful spiritual books may God inspire spiritual books authors
Hi am seminarian Gaudensio Jada from catholic archdiocese of juba south sudan i need support from the experts of spiritual directors
Hello 🙂 Greetings from Croatia!
I have just read Thomas Merton’s Seven Storey Mountain, and it was brilliant. A bit slow in the beginning, but then… I would definitely recommend it to anyone. It taught me how important contemplation is for a catholic.
Uniformity with God’s Will – Ligouri
Spiritual Combat is the best book ever. It goes a level beyond Imitation of Christ and Intro to Devout Life (both of which are pretty intense if taken seriously). Spiritual Combat makes you aware of how little you’re actually doing in your spiritual life and how Satan works to undermine it. St. Francis de Sales carried it with him everywhere, pretty good endorsement there. It’s available for free online in a few places that I’ve seen. Check it out!
“What Jesus saw from the Cross” a great read especially for Lent, but all times!
Excellent article Sam, such a great list!
One of the most sought -after book genres are self-help books. There is a good reason for that. People tend to rely on them when it comes to dealing with life. A self-help book contains a handful of extremities that can help a person get through something.
You can also check my blog about Ultimate Guide to Writing a Meaningful Spiritual Book
Hope this will help. Thank you.
I’m working my way through the Bible in a Year program right now. I’m pretty sure the Bible is a book, so that should count.